Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-04-30
AN UNFINISHED WORK.
DESCRIPTION OF THE LELAND
STANFORD, JR., MUSEUM.
A Wonderful Collection of Curios of
Historic Value to be Located
in Golden Gate Park,
[san Francisco Argonant. |


We call attention to the verv scholarly
description of articles in the Leland Stan.
ford, Jr., Museum, and to the history OF
their collection, prepared by II. c. Nash
for long time the private tutor and travel
ing companion in Europe of Senator Stan
fords son. This young lad developed his
archaeological tastes at the very early age OF
IL years, and these tastes he continued to
cultivate till the time of his death, develop.
ing, for one so young, a wonderful knowl-
edge and consummate judgment in the
pursuit of his favorite study This collec-
ton is now stored in the town residence OF
the Stanfords, the third story of the dwell
ing being devoted to the arrangement and
classification OF the museum. The parents,
with the purpose of carrying out their
sons original deslgn-vlz, the gathering
together of antiquities and curious things
from all parts OF the world and especially
from the mounds ana dwellings of the pre-
historic races of our own continent, and
both ancient relics and modern curios
from the Islands of the Pacific and Orien-
tai countries-have added largely to the
collection. 1t is the intention of Governor
and Mrs. Stanford to donate this valuable
museum to the city of San Francisco, and
they will carry out this purpose by asking
OF the Commissioners of Golden Gate Park
the privilege of erecting therein suitable
structure for its accommodation 1t is their
purpose to so add to and enlarge upon this
collection that it shall form a great reposi.
tory of curious and instructive objects,
comparing favorably with the most famous
of European museums. Mrs Stanford ex-
presses her desire to enter upon the work
at once, so that within her lifetime sne may
see the accomplishment of her sons de-
sign in the completion of a monument
which, more than any Of the other SPLEEN
AID memorials for the perpetuatien OF his
memory, Will express the peculiar taste
for which he exhibited such keen and
intelligent relish.
ORIGIN OF THE MUSEUM
In 1880, Leland Stanford, Jr.. being then
II years of age, accompanied his parents to
Europe. They travelled through Great
Britain and Central and Southern Europe,
visiting the principal cities and all places
OF historical interest. During this Journey
young Leland conceived the idea of bring
ing away from each place where halt was
made some object of local or general inter-
est that would recall the circumstances of
his stay. He had at first no object beyond
that of perpetuating in his memory the
pleasures of his European trip, but, gradu-
ally, the scope of his plans broadened, and
he was ambitious to make collection that
might furnish his play room at home. In
this idea he received every encouragement
from his mother, and, on his return to
California in 1882, he set TO work arranging
and cataloguing the various purchases he
had made.
The collection in Room Ten is the result
OF his ambition and labors. He, himself
modestly called it collection, disclaiming
any intention of naming it museum for
the present But the striking effect pro-
duced by the various curiosities, arms,
works of art, etc, when Systematically ar
ranged in one room, raised his hopes and
fired his ambition. He resolved to pursue
the course he had begun, to make it some
thing more than mere pastime; and,
should opportunity present itself, 10 add to
his collection from time to time, until it
should become museum of sufficient in
terest to be opened for the qualification and
education of the people of San Francisco.
The opportunity did present itself. In
1888, his parents paid a second visit to
Europe. Leland accompanied them, and
with more fervor than ever, pursued his
archaeological researches and acquisitions.
March, 1884, his labors for his museum
were the recreations of his leisure mo-
ments. The objects he collected during
that time are now in Room Seven, and,
from their nature. shows how his tastes
matured with cultivation, giving great
promise for the future of his museum.
1t is hardly necessary to draw attention
to the value of the Egyptian bronzes, the
Greek statuettes, and the Greek and Roman
glass in this room (No. Severn. Every
student and traveller recognizes in them
landmarks of history aid civilization.
1t was the intention of Leland Stanford,
Jr., on his return to his native land, to have
added continually to this nucleus, and, in
the first place, 10 have begun q collection
of Chinese and Japanese curios, and one of
the relics of the American mound-builders.
His intentions are being carried out by his
parents, and already these two collections
have been added to the original museum.
THE EXHIBIT IN ROOM TEN.
Above the door is large, stuffed turkey
buzZard, shot by Leland Stanford, Jr., at
Palo Alto in 1882 Immediately on the
left, as one enters the room, is small
panoply of arms. l. Is a Moorish scimetar.
of the last century. 2. Algerian dagger
(modern). 3. Italian poignard. 4. Old
French " Halebarde - was fixed on long
pOle, anu ny
guard. 5. Sword-pistol; q very curious
weapon, combining both those arms, the
barrel of the pistol running along the blade
of the sword; ascribed to the seventeenth
century, but probably rather more modern.
Keeping around the room to the left the
visitor comes to large case of stuffed
birds. These are mostly Californian (see
labels), and with but two or three excep-
tons were shot by Leland Stanford, Jr.
To the left again, the whole western side
is taken up with modern military arms
and accoutrements, including four French
cavalry helmets: one cuirass of French
Cuirassier; one French knapsack one
German knapsack; two French soldiers
shakos; two French cavalry swords one
French Chassepot rifle; one German
needle-gun; one French clarion; one old
musket, and several miscellaneous articles
worn by European soldiers. On the floor
below there is an immense cannon ball.
This ball was thrown into Fort Sumter,
and, after the war, presented to Governor
Low of California, who gave 1t to Governor
Stanford.
In the corner of the northern side of the
room, below the copy of De Neuvilles
picture of =" Gravelotte,' is Prussian foot
soldiers cap (modern) and pair of French
epaulettes. Below is an old German
musket of curious make, and probably as
old as the seventeenth century. A French
firemans helmet is above the first northern
windw Between the two windows look
ing north is a
PANoPLY OF OLD ARMS FROM ITALY,
OF the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries
Below them, on a shelf, is a model of g
knight of the middle ages armed cap-a-p pie
and on either side-on the same shells
small model panoply of ancient and Or.
entail arms. The workmanship on these
three pieces is exquisite. They were made
in Paris On either side is a suit of armor
They are limitations of what was worn in
the sixteenth century, but accurate in
everv detail: made at Venice. On s
wooden frame, between the two suits, o.
armor, are Persian helmet, sword anC
armlet; these are three beautiful pieces
inlaid with gold and covered with Arab.
tracings; they are authentic ana of grea
interest. Above the second northern win,
dow is helmet OF an English life-guard
Below the window, two gold headed canes
E presented to Governor Stanford. The cas-,
in the northeast corner contains variety
of objects either found or manufactured in
the United States, or of interest in connee.
ton with their history. On the wall abov,
are two pistols, one OF which is of very
o,riOu- das,un having no barral hut I.